Hot Copy: A Novel

by Ruby Barrett

Overview

“An intoxicating blend of wholesome sweetness and tear-off-your-clothes steam…Ruby Barrett’s writing leaves me breathless.” —Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate

"Sexy, smart, and fiercely feminist." —Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test

A meet-cute gone wrong is the start of a surprising courtship in this fresh, modern take on the workplace romance from debut author Ruby Barrett

Corrine Blunt knows what people think of her—she’s an icy, unapproachable executive. It’s the price she’s had to pay to get to the top. But there’s knowing you have a reputation in the office, and there’s hearing your new intern laugh when someone calls you “Blunt the C*nt” in the elevator on his first day.

She’d hoped to finally find an ally in Wesley Chambers, but she’s not about to let him off the hook for joining the office boys’ club. Taking refuge in the professional boundaries between them, she relegates Wes to assistant work—which would do the trick, if he weren’t so eager to prove he’s a decent human being.

Wes is sincerely apologetic, insisting it was a misunderstanding, and to her surprise, Corrine believes him. Being forced to work together was one thing, but long hours at the office with what turns out to be a kind, thoughtful man soon has their business relationship turning personal, and things get complicated—fast. Could this be something more serious than either of them dared to hope for? Or is their relationship just playing into the harmful power dynamics Corrine’s had to endure her entire career?


Book 1: Hot Copy
Book 2: The Romance Recipe

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780369703101
Publisher:	Carina Press
Publication date:	04/13/2021
Sold by:	HARLEQUIN
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	951,580
File size:	580 KB

About the Author

Ruby writes steamy romances about big feelings. Mutual pleasure, pining, and healing are common themes in her books. She loves to read romance, lift weights, drink tea, and cackle with her friends. Ruby is a bi woman with ADHD living in Ottawa, Canada with her daughter, and her husband.

You can find her at www.RubyBarrett.com. 

 

Editorial Reviews

★ 02/22/2021

Barrett debuts with a delightful office romance for the #MeToo era. Wesley Chambers put off his internship at marketing firm Hill City to care for his dying mother. Now finally able to take the opportunity, he finds that his mentor will no longer be CEO and family friend Richard Skyler, but icy powerhouse Corrine Blunt, Hill City’s only female executive. After Corrine overhears what she believes to be Wesley laughing at a coworker calling her a slur, she demotes him to fetching coffee, running errands, and managing the department softball team. But his unwavering kindness and skill soon win her over as a boss—and his impulse to kiss her during a heavy emotional moment leads to a secret relationship. Though Corrine tries to keep Wesley at arm’s length, he helps her through both her mother’s illness and sexual harassment from her own boss, and his persistence through rejection comes off as warmhearted rather than pushy. Barrett expertly captures both the frenzied intensity of sex as distraction and the awkward drop back into reality as Corrine and Wesley face the limitations of their situation, but it’s the personal growth of both protagonists that really set this rom-com apart. This is a winner. Agent: Kiana Nguyen, Donald J. Maass Literary. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

04/01/2021

DEBUT Wesley Chambers knows that starting at the bottom of the ladder as a corporate marketing intern won't be easy. After taking two years away from work, he's determined to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, a poorly timed nervous laugh on his first day starts off Wes's relationship with his no-nonsense boss, Corinne Blunt, firmly on the wrong foot. Corinne has no time for interns who laugh at sexist jokes, no matter how talented or good-looking they are. She's worked hard to get to where she is, and she isn't interested in helping advance Wesley's career—that is, until he offers an explanation and an apology, which, to her surprise and his, she accepts. The two of them build trust as they begin to work closely together and discover they have more in common than they thought. The problem? Romance between a superior and an intern is not an option. Readers drawn in by the cheerful cover who are expecting a romantic comedy may find Barrett's debut surprisingly heavy: both main characters navigate a parent's cancer treatment, Corinne is sexually harassed by her own boss, and there is a tricky power imbalance between the couple. VERDICT An engaging debut featuring intense feelings and situations, with plenty of heat.—Jessica Moore, Milwaukee P.L.

Library Journal